Rape and Sexual Assault

What are Rape and Sexual Assault?
There is no one definition for sexual assault–it comes in many forms and can happen to anyone regardless of age, race, gender, class status, sexual orientation, ability, religion, or physical appearance and even the most unlikely of people (clergymen, teachers, your significant other, even your own family members) can be perpetrators. If you or your loved one has been the victim of sexual assault it is important to remember that you are not alone. In fact, every two minutes somewhere in America someone is sexually assaulted; one in 6 women and one in 33 men are victims. There is no particular time of day or place where sexual assault occurs. There are things that we can do to reduce our risks of experiencing sexual assault, but the only person who can stop rape completely is the rapist. If you are a victim it is important to remember, no matter what, that you are not to blame. There is help available and the staff at Center of Hope is here to guide you through the healing process.

Sexual assault is any sexual behavior initiated in the absence of clear, knowing, and voluntary consent that causes that person to feel uncomfortable, frightened, or intimidated.

An individual cannot consent who is:
· Obviously incapacitated by any drug or intoxicant
· Who has been purposely compelled by force, threat of force, or deception
· Whose ability to consent or resist is impaired due to mental or physical condition
· Who is coerced by an authority figure

Rape is penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus with any body part or object, or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the consent of the victim. Rape victims may be forced through threats or physical means. Anyone may be a victim of rape: women, men or children, straight or gay.

Acquaintance Rape
Acquaintance rape is rape by someone you know or have known.

Drug Facilitated Sexual Violence
Drug facilitated sexual violence is when drugs or alcohol are used to compromise your ability to consent to sexual activity.

Incest
Incest is sexual contact that occurs between persons who are related.

Partner Rape
Partner rape is when a sexual act is committed by a spouse or intimate partner without your consent and/or against your will.

Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is unwelcome advances; requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that affects your work or school performance.

Stranger Rape
Stranger rape is when someone unknown to you rapes you.

Regardless of who commits these acts, there is a way out, there is hope, and Center of Hope is here to serve victims in any way we can. A community-based agency, Center of Hope offers safety and support for victims of sexual assault and their families in, and around, Maury County. ALL CENTER OF HOPE SERVICES ARE CONFIDENTIAL, the goal of these comprehensive services being to equip and empower those whose lives have been impacted by sexual assault with the skills they need to move beyond the abuse and onto the fulfilling lives they deserve.

IS IT RAPE IF THE VICTIM AND PERPETRATOR ARE MARRIED?
Yes! Any time someone forces another to have sex without consent it is rape.

IS IT RAPE EVEN IF YOU DO NOT FIGHT BACK OR SAY NO?
Yes! Everyone responds differently to threatening situations. It is not unusual for a person to be so frightened that they freeze up and can’t say no or fight off the attacker. They may fear for their life if they fight. It does not matter how the victim responds, the perpetrator is always to blame! Remember the important thing is you survived!

What To Do If You Have Experienced A Recent Sexual Assault

Call someone for support (a trusted friend/professor/therapist/911). You can call the Crisis Line and a trained advocate can accompany you to the hospital, provide information, support, and/or advocacy. Center of Hope Crisis Hotline: (931) 381-8580 (24 Hours) National Sexual Assault Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE

Don’t bathe, douche, or change clothes. Washing or changing clothes may remove forensic evidence. If you do bathe, douche, or change clothes, a hospital will still provide a forensic evidence exam. If you are considering reporting your assault to law enforcement, it is beneficial for a forensic exam to be completed up to 10 days after the assault occurred.

Get medical attention. Both your physical and emotional well-being is important. You could have an internal injury, a sexually transmitted disease, or become pregnant. A medical exam could also provide important evidence for prosecution. If you do not want to file a police report you can still receive medical attention.

Make a police report.

If you suspect you have experienced a drug facilitated sexual assault or were given date rape drugs go to the hospital immediately. These drugs can harm you and any evidence of the drug leaves the body quickly.

Remember a victim of sexual assault is never responsible for the assault.Since it is impossible to guess which situations are safe and which are dangerous, the responsibility for sexual assault falls solely on the perpetrators!!!

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About

Center of Hope was founded in 1989 shortly after the Tennessee Coalition to End Domestic & Sexual Violence determined that there was a need for emergency shelter and counseling for victims of domestic violence in Maury County.

Beginning as a grassroots movement in Columbia, Maury County’s largest city, Center of Hope first came about when the Columbia Business and Professional Women’s Association (BPW) teamed together with the Coalition to bring services to local victims of domestic violence.